Tenderness Collection

As I delve into my exploration of women's roles in Western society, I am particularly interested in examining artistic portrayals of females throughout various historical periods. I find it fascinating how the ideal female figure changes depending on cultural norms and expectations of the era.

Johannes Vermeer, a 17th-century Dutch artist, stands out to me as someone who doesn't conform to these stereotypes.

Inspired by his work, I've created a collection called Tenderness, where I reflect on how femininity is defined in the 21st century.

While some may deem the current time as 'postfeminist,' with a focus on traditional forms of feminism centred around the 'perfect housewife' or 'domestic goddess,' a new wave of feminist activism has emerged. Dubbed the 'fourth wave,' women are once again campaigning for greater gender equality.

My Tenderness collection consists of four triptychs that I've created over the course of several years in three different stages.

Stage 1 – Vermeer Women

Vermeer's masterpieces showcase women as the focal point, but with a unique twist. Unlike other artists who often depicted women with an air of sensuality, Vermeer was able to capture their beauty with a sense of moral fortitude and poise.

I spent several months recreating some of Vermeer's paintings, aiming to maintain the sense of modesty and gentleness that is evident in his original art.

To add to the authenticity, I included an image of a white dove, symbolizing the peace and harmony that Vermeer's art exudes.

Stage 2 – Changing the Narrative

During the second stage, my main focus was to reinterpret the Vermeer masterpieces by adding sensual and evocative symbols. Through the addition of symbolic elements, I sought to subvert the original narrative and explore the themes of female empowerment and conformity.

The question arises, are the women in the second triptych more independent and stronger or do they conform to familiar conventions, reducing the abstract purity and rare tenderness?

Amidst this creative exploration, the symbol of a white dove emerged once again, embodying the eternal quest for balance and unity in life.

Stage 3 – Conceal and Reveal

In the third stage of my artistic journey, I made a bold decision to conceal the emotions and facial expressions conveyed through the portraits by physically covering them. Using this technique, I aimed to capture the essence of how we often disguise and suppress our thoughts and intentions to construct a different reality.

As I progressed to the final section of my triptych, I uncovered the images and displayed the ongoing struggle between femininity and perceived vulnerability versus unobstructed confidence and perceived strength.

The shattered wings of the white doves and the broken tenderness depicted in my artwork symbolizes

an ever-present quest for finding balance and harmony in life.